{"id":30811,"date":"2021-08-07T17:40:58","date_gmt":"2021-08-07T16:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsblogsnew.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=30811"},"modified":"2021-08-07T17:40:58","modified_gmt":"2021-08-07T16:40:58","slug":"ihbc-research-signpost-savills-research-2021-how-well-is-the-planning-system-responding-to-the-climate-crisis-as-good-as-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=30811","title":{"rendered":"IHBC research signpost: Savills Research 2021 – How well is the planning system responding to the climate crisis?\u00a0 As good as Wales?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"Savills latest research, explores the different targets in place across the UK, and considers whether national ambition is translating to local action, while noting that \u2018Wales could provide a useful model to follow\u2019.<\/h3>\n

image: for illustration purposes only – Open Government Licence v3.0<\/em><\/h6>\n

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\u2026 variations stems\u2026.from\u2026national policy that includes climate mitigation goals, but does not provide a clear pathway or baseline standards\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

\u2018\u2026Most local plans do not acknowledge the extent of the challenge\u2026\u2019<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

Savills writes:<\/p>\n

National Frameworks<\/h2>\n

Are the correct planning frameworks in place for development to appropriately respond to the climate emergency?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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The Climate Change Act 2008, as well as mandating greenhouse gas reduction targets to be achieved by 2050, also established the Climate Change Committee (CCC) as an independent, statutory body to advise the UK and devolved governments on achieving those targets. Whilst the 2008 Act creates a consistent overall framework, the policy interventions that are in place vary both between and within the nations. There is little consistency in how the overarching UK target to achieve net carbon zero by 2050 is being interpreted and implemented within the nations.<\/p>\n

This variation stems partly from the different national planning frameworks that are in place across Great Britain, and partly from national policy that includes climate mitigation goals, but does not provide a clear pathway or baseline standards to meet these goals. Across England, Scotland and Wales, there are differing legislative frameworks and targets. Scotland is legally committed to net zero by 2045, and England and Wales by 2050, but Wales has ambitions to reach this target sooner.<\/p>\n

Read more….<\/a><\/p>\n

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Climate Emergency<\/h2>\n

This is a climate emergency!<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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The first climate emergency was declared in Melbourne, Australia in 2016, and since then declarations have been made in over 33 countries across the world. By declaring an emergency, a governing body acknowledges that it needs to act on both the causes and impact of climate change. It is a political commitment, but also provides the foundation for a regulatory framework. In a planning context, it prompts consideration of the location of development, modes of transport, energy efficiency, and clean energy production.<\/p>\n

The first British council to make a declaration was Bristol in 2018. As of April 2021, 224 local authorities across England have declared a climate emergency, representing 71% of the country\u2019s total. In Wales the proportion is even higher, with 73% of local authorities declaring a climate emergency. For Scotland, the proportion is slightly lower, at 20 authorities accounting for 63%. In Wales, there are some unique legacy issues and challenges associated with the nation\u2019s industrial base and its power generation infrastructure. Here, national commitments and local strategies recognise that the next 10 years will be critical \u2013 with the objective to achieve two thirds of the reductions required to achieve net zero by 2030.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“Many local authorities are aiming to be more effective than the targets set by their respective national governments. 50% of local authorities are aiming for their activities to be net zero carbon by 2030”
\nHamish Simmie, Associate, Residential Research<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Many local authorities are aiming to be more effective than the targets set by their respective national governments. 50% of local authorities are aiming for their activities to be net zero carbon by 2030. In some cases, such as Gateshead and Chichester, this includes a specific commitment to ensure that all strategic decisions, and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to net zero carbon by 2030. In other local authorities the targets set relate solely to the operation of their estate and services such as waste collection. Over a third of the councils that have set a net zero target date for their own operations have not set a goal for the whole council area.<\/p>\n

There are some councils that are showing greater ambition. Winchester is aiming for the Council\u2019s activities to be carbon neutral by 2024, with the wider district to reach net zero by 2030. Edinburgh and Highland lead the way in Scotland, with Edinburgh aiming for the city to be carbon neutral by 2030, and Highland setting the same standard for Inverness, with the rest of the council area to transition to a low carbon economy. Milton Keynes is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030, and carbon negative by 2050. Across England, Scotland and Wales, 127 local authorities have committed to reach net zero at an earlier date than the national government.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Read more….<\/a><\/p>\n

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How well are local plans in England responding to climate change?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Across England, there is little correlation between local authorities declaring a\u00a0climate emergency<\/a>\u00a0and implementing climate mitigation and adaptation measures in their local plans. The Climate Change Committee declared in a 2020 report that \u201cMost local plans do not acknowledge the extent of the challenge of delivering net zero and need significant revision\u201c. Most recently, the UK Green Building Council co-ordinated a\u00a0letter from business leaders to the Prime Minister<\/a>, warning that the current planning system could not meet the pace of change needed to meet sustainability targets.<\/p>\n

Of areas that have announced a climate emergency, 71% have an up to date local plan in place. But only 19% of these local plans contain specific energy efficiency or binding carbon policies. Encouragingly however, more recently adopted plans are the most likely to contain these types of policy. 50% of plans adopted in 2020 contain specific carbon emission reduction policies, compared to just 13% of those adopted in 2015.<\/p>\n

Read more….<\/a><\/p>\n

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Climate Emergency – Outlook<\/h2>\n

Key conclusions and recommendations<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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